Freedom of Religion Bill passed in Maharashtra Assembly; 'not against any community', says Fadnavis

Maharashtra Assembly passes the Freedom of Religion Bill, imposing strict penalties for unlawful conversions, ensuring protection for vulnerable individuals.

The Maharashtra Assembly on Monday (March 16, 2026) night passed the Freedom of Religion Bill 2026, which has stringent provisions to prohibit religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, inducement or marriage, by voice vote.

As per the Bill, those involved in unlawful conversions on the pretext of marriage will be punished with imprisonment of seven years and shall also be liable for a fine of ₹1 lakh.

Violations in respect of a minor, a person of unsound mind, a woman or a person belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe will be punished with imprisonment of seven years and a fine of ₹5 lakh.

Mass conversions will have a jail term of seven years and a fine of ₹5 lakh. Repeat offenders can get a jail sentence of 10 years and a fine of ₹5 lakh, as per the Bill.

"The proposed anti-conversion law in Maharashtra is not directed against any particular religion, and it aims only to prevent religious conversions carried out through force, fraud or inducement, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the assembly.

He noted that several States, including Odisha, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka and Jharkhand, have already enacted similar laws.